Please join us in celebrating our two lives becoming one!

Our story began the way most relationships do nowadays—through mutual friends. The first time we met, I didn’t think much of it—just another face in the crowd, someone I hadn’t met before. But little did I know, this encounter would be the start of something that would change my life. At a gathering, Chad, knowing I had a deep love for mythology and board games, tried to engage me in conversation. I was incredibly nervous and, instead of opening up, I awkwardly ran away. It wasn’t my finest moment, but I guess sometimes life works in strange ways. We reconnected soon after, this time through phone calls and messages. Slowly but surely, things began to fall into place. Despite the spark of chemistry between us, after about a year together, we decided to part ways. We just weren’t on the same page about what we wanted at that point in our lives, and sometimes that happens. But even after we went our separate ways, there was something about Chad that kept me thinking. And as it turned out, he hadn’t stopped thinking about me either. After about six months apart, we found our way back to each other. And that’s when I knew, deep down, that he was the one. There was a moment, one of those rare, life-defining moments, that made it clear. It happened when I had to undergo a surgical procedure that left me feeling anxious and scared. Chad stepped up in the most incredible way, offering to be there by my side, no matter what. It wasn’t just about being physically present—it was his emotional support that made all the difference. Then, not long after that, late one evening, I received the news that my great aunt was in the hospital in Texas. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. Without hesitation, Chad offered to drive me there in the middle of the night, just so I could be with her. The sheer kindness, generosity, and willingness to support me, without asking for anything in return, touched me more than words can express. As our relationship continued to grow, I wanted to finally introduce Chad to my daughter, Kaylee, and the first opportunity came when we met up at the Renaissance Fair in Hot Springs with some friends. I was anxious, but she was having fun, and everything seemed to be going well. After a few hours, though, Kaylee started getting cranky, and Chad handled it so well. He reassured me that no matter what happened, he wasn’t going anywhere. From the very beginning, Chad has been in my corner, pushing me to try new things, helping me better myself, and supporting me in ways I never imagined. He’s been there through some of the most challenging moments and has helped me find my voice. He’s shown me that I am a good mom. And he didn’t come into my life at the “easy” stages—he arrived during the pre-teen years with Kaylee, and he took it all in stride like a saint. I’ve always had a hard time opening up, but through it all, Chad has learned everything about me—the good, the bad, the ugly—and yet, he stuck around. Love isn’t just about sharing the good moments. It’s about showing up when it matters most, offering support without question, and being there through both the highs and the lows. With Chad, I knew I had found someone who would always be there for me, no matter what.